Graduate Writing Exam: Details

The Graduate Writing Exam (GWE) consists of one analytic summary essay of 750 – 1250 words written over one weekend in July (in 2014, July 18 – 21) and submitted online.

When do I take the exam?

Students must register in advance beginning on July 1. Readings relating to the essay question will be posted on Tuesday, July 15 and students will have three days to read them before the essay question is posted on Friday, July 18. Essays will be due the following Monday, July 21.

A pencil-and-paper, in-person make-up exam will be held in September for students who are unable to take the online GWE. Please note that the summer evaluation is a more accurate measure of a student’s writing ability, it does not interfere with your coursework or other requirements during your first weeks of graduate school, and students tend to do better on the online exam. Therefore, students should take the make-up only if it is impossible for them to take the online summer examination.

Register before 5 PM on July 15, 2014 by going to the GWE login page (aka iMOAT). Enter your 9-digit MIT ID number in both the “Login” and “Password” boxes (NB: you will NOT use your Kerberos ID here).

We expect that carefully reading the articles will take about 2 – 3 hours during the first 3-day period, and that writing the essay will take another 4 – 7 hours during the second 3-day period. We allow multiple days for the reading and writing because we know that people have other commitments during that time, and to allow time for a complete writing process, including reflection and revision.

What will I be writing about?

The GWE asks you to read 4 – 5 articles on a technical, but interdisciplinary, topic and to then write an analytical summary that synthesizes the information from the articles clearly, in a logical structure, and with careful attention to accurate paraphrase and citation of the sources.

When and how do I find out how I did?

Your department will receive your score by July 29 and your Graduate Administrator will send you your result.